As the smog lifts on another series of “Beyond Index” days in Beijing, parents are taking a deep breath and praying for a great weekend for the kids.
Next weekend, we know one place that is guaranteed to have good air: the Beijing International School Expo Jan 24-25 at the Kerry. Our lead sponsor, Healthpro, will have their top-of-the-line IQAir machines on full blast to assure no matter what the AQI, the air inside the expo will be first-rate.
That means that your child can have fun at one of our expo’s three designated play areas in a safe environment while you learn more about which of Beijing’s schools best suits their needs. HealthPro will also have many of its models on display, along with company representatives on hand that can answer any of your queries about how to clean the air at your home or office.
And while air quality weighs heavily on most expats’ minds during this time of year, the issue seems especially pertinent right now, given the air this week.
At the expo parents can visit HealthPro’s booth to ask about the company’s air quality assessment service (which tests pollution levels in your home, see Tip #5 here for more details), and find out more information about how IQAir purifiers safeguard homes from PM2.5 particles.
Such devices are becoming more and more of a prerequisite in Beijing, especially after sales increased by six-fold this time two years ago, during a period that was then considered to be “the worst stretch of air pollution in Beijing on record.”
And while PM2.5 levels decreased last year— from 89.5 micrograms per cubic meter to 85.9 percent, but an improvement nonetheless— our budding optimism was quickly dashed by reports that PM10 levels jumped in 2014 by 7.1 percent.
These “coarse” PM10 particles are bigger than their notorious PM2.5 counterparts, and less harmful because they are mostly derived from the crushing of rocks and soil for construction and farming.
PM2.5s, meanwhile, stem from coal plants, cars and other toxic exhaust fumes (see here for more information). For many expats, especially parents, these latest developments make air purifiers all the more appealing.
You can find out more information at HealthPro’s website. And be sure check here for updates about the school expo here.
